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Brendan Smith

Rangers Brendan Smith is playing to his 'full potential'

Oct 13, 2018 | 10:39AM

Feb 5, 2018; Dallas, TX, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith (42) skates in warm-ups prior to the game against the Dallas Stars at the American Airlines Center. The Stars defeated the Rangers 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports (Jerome Miron)

Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith scored the tying goal last night for the Rangers and, so far, in his return to the NHL this season is averaging 17:18 per game.

Smith is averaging 15:53 per game at even strength, 1:13 on the PK, 13 seconds on the PP and David Quinn said on Friday that the Rangers are not asking Smith to do anything he hasn't done already in his career. (NYR)

Feb 8, 2018 | 12:03PM

2/8/18 | 6:27PM: Alain Vigneault said that Smith has played better in the past, he got off to a slow start and was having a hard time finding his game. (NYR)

He added, "This might be a little bit drastic but management and coaches felt it was the way to go for the team right now." (NYR)

Jeff Gorton said of Smith, "we signed him and gave him a deal based on how he played and when we scouted him before. This year he has struggled, we tried different things. We scratched him, done some different things to get him going and he just hasn't played that well and it's a move we decided we had to make.

Jan 23, 2018 | 4:10PM

Brendan Smith has played in the last five games for the Rangers after sitting out the final game before the Rangers bye week and their first game after the bye.

Prior to coming back into the lineup, Alain Vigneault was asked about Smith and said, "he would be the first to say, I think, that he can be better. There are a lot of things we all like about Smitty, his energy, the way that he comes to play. But for this first half, I would say that it hasn't been what we expected, it hasn't been the same player that we saw last year.

In the five games since Smith has returned, he has 1 goal, a minus 2 rating, 18 PIM, 14 shots on goal and an average of 17:52.

1/8/17 | 12:46AM: Following the game, Alain Vigneault was asked about the moves on MSG and said:

On Buchnevich & Smith being scratched, "I just felt that for the tonight it was the right thing to do and I wanted to get Kampf in here for some time. On back to back nights, I just wanted to get him back in the lineup."

Why Buchnevich, "analyzing our different lines, I wasn't sure if Zuccy was going to play so I felt that for tonight it was the right thing to do."

1/7/17 | 9:29PM: Pavel Buchnevich and Brendan Smith are scratched from tonight's game against Vegas. (NHL)

Smith will be replaced by Steve Kampfer and Buchnevich will be replaced by a returning Mats Zuccarello.

This is the first healthy scratch of the season for Buchnevich, the ninth for Smith.

How Brendan Smith played in his return to the lineup

Nov 18, 2017 | 2:04PM

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Apr 12, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Andrew Shaw (65) is checked by New York Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith (42) during the third period of game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
(Jean-Yves Ahern)

In his return to the Rangers lineup on Friday, Brendan Smith played 14:25, was a minus one and had 3 shots on goal, 1 shot that missed the net and 2 hits.

Smith was also called for interference in the first period.

He played all 14:25 at even strength and by period he played:

First Period: 4:46

Second Period: 6:17

Third Period: 3:22

When Smith was on the ice, the Rangers had 17 shot attempts for and only 9 against and 14 shots on goal for and 5 against, but one of those five against was a goal. (Natural Stat Trick)

Vigneault said on Monday that he was going with the same group of six defensemen for tomorrow's game against the Blackhawks and said that the reasoning is not only the winning streak but the overall play of the defense.

He said that against Edmonton the Rangers didn't allow a scoring chance in the final 25 minutes and said that the current group of six is playing "extremely well."

Brendan Smith will get back into the lineup soon

Nov 10, 2017 | 10:22AM

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Apr 12, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Andrew Shaw (65) is checked by New York Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith (42) during the third period of game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
(Jean-Yves Ahern)

6:25PM: Alain Vigneault said before the game about Smith, "in the last game, Smytty had a couple of moments that were more challenging, a couple of decisions with the puck, decisions in front of the net. He is a hard worker and real good person and came in today and worked real hard and he will be ready the next time we need him." (NYR)

"I like where my game is at, I think I've been playing pretty well. I wasn't totally happy with my last game and there is always room for improvement."

Does it feel you are on a short leash, "I'm not sure. It's so early to tell. I've felt like I have had a lot of really good games but a couple of periods have got away from me and I just need to make sure I have a lot of consistencies to stay in the lineup."

12PM: Brendan Smith is skating this morning with a group of players that are likely to be scratched tonight against Tampa Bay. (Zipay)

Brendan Smith is expected to take on more of a leadership role

Sep 22, 2017 | 9:49AM

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Apr 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith (42) is honored as one of the stars of the game after scoring a goal to help beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports (Danny Wild)

Brendan Smith said that he thinks he can "flourish" in Alain Vigneault's system and said that many factors came into play regarding his decision to re-sign with the Rangers. (NYR)

Smith said that despite it being his first camp with the Rangers he feels he has been with the organization for a long time. (NYR)

He added, "we have a good leadership group, Staal is great, Nasher, I think Mac is one of the best captains in the league. Everyone can be a leader and guys know that I am vocal and I have their back and am there for them."

Alain Vigneault said that Smith is "vocal" and shares a lot of his "inner feelings with his teammates," something that Vigneault said is good and helps keep everyone accountable.

When things started to turn around for Brendan Smith

Sep 10, 2017 | 4:13PM

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Apr 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith (42) is honored as one of the stars of the game after scoring a goal to help beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports (Danny Wild)

Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill said before the 2015-16 season that Brendan Smith has good offensive instincts and is a strong, competitive player that can retrieve pucks.

He added during the season that for Smith to be effective he needed to "manage" his game and play well at both ends of the ice.

During the playoffs in 2013, Henrik Zetterberg said that Brendan Smith was a player who created a lot, but "sometimes" created a lot for both teams. (Daily Tribune)

How Brendan Smith played at times under Mike Babcock in Detroit

Aug 2, 2017 | 12:03PM

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New York Rangers right wing Jesper Fast (19) celebrates his goal against the Ottawa Senators with defenceman Brendan Smith (42) and defenceman Brady Skjei (76) during the first period in game five of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series in Ottawa on Saturday, May 6, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld (Adrian Wyld)

In September 2010, after watching him in training camp, then Red Wings coach Mike Babcock said that Brendan Smith has the ability to "be a gamebreaker." (MLive)

In 2013 Babcock spoke about how Smith can't force things and that his role with the Red Wings was to kill penalties and "get the puck going." (MLive)

Babcock added, in 2013, that Smith was a work in progress but has done a "good job for us and the thing is he's ultra-competitive." (MLive)

What Brendan Smith said about staying with the Rangers

Jun 30, 2017 | 9:56AM

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Apr 12, 2017; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens center Andrew Shaw (65) is checked by New York Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith (42) during the third period of game one of the first round of the 2017 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
(Jean-Yves Ahern)

Brendan Smith was on NHL Tonight on Thursday evening and said the following about staying with the Rangers:

On the deal, "it was really exciting. It's a little bit of a whirlwind because there is that period where you can talk to other teams and you listen and feel out the other options but for me, playing the end of the season with the Rangers, everything just fit. It seemed like a good situation for myself and my family."

On his pairing with Brady Skjei, "it's a big impact. Brady makes my game a lot easier, he's unbelievable. He's an up and coming defenseman that everyone should watch. He has so much talent and made it really easy on me. We had a good little chemistry, I know I have chemistry playing with McDonagh playing at Wisconsin in college. That had a big impact and I think the familiarity with the boys helps the situation."

What is the culture like, "I really enjoyed it. The captain is one of my best friends. It was good because I could have some input and tell him how we did things with the Red Wings and how that could help in different situations and areas that we worked on with our PK and stuff like that. That transition made it really easy for us and it helped move us further in our playoff run."

The Rangers are still talking with Brendan Smith (Updates)

Jun 28, 2017 | 1:12PM

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Apr 2, 2017; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers defenseman Brendan Smith (42) is honored as one of the stars of the game after scoring a goal to help beat the Philadelphia Flyers 4-3 at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports (Danny Wild)

6/28/17 | The deal with the Rangers is reportedly for four years worth an average of $4.35 million per season. (Bob McKenzie)

6/28/17 | The Red Wings were hoping to re-sign Smith for a three-year deal worth $3.5 million per season, but Smith is likely to get $4 million per season from the Rangers. (Ansar Khan)

Brendan Smith enjoyed his time with the Rangers

May 18, 2017 | 10:33AM

Brendan Smith said on breakup day that this Rangers team was "arguably" the best team he had ever been on and while it was only for a short time, "it was fun to be part of it." (SNY)

Smith continued that it was a lot of being being a Ranger and after thanking Red Wings GM Ken Holland and Rangers GM Jeff Gorton, called his time with the Rangers "a blast." (SNY)

Smith said that he will see what comes with being a free agent but again added that he "really enjoyed" being with the Rangers, liked the group of players, said that the Rangers "do it right" and again called it a "blast." (SNY)

Following Thursday's win in his Rangers debut, Brendan Smith was talked about the game and said that "the King played great and helped me out a lot." (NYR)

Further asked about Lundqvist, Smith told John Giannone on Thursday, "everything we have been trying to do to score on him, you never score on him. I got to watch it on the opposite side and it was amazing to be part of. I love how vocal he is with guys around you. I would get frustrated when I was on the opposite side of the ice and it was a treat to play in front of him." (NYR)

On Saturday, Smith was asked about Lundqvist and said "right? It's a treat to play in front of someone like that. He really makes the team a lot better, he was easily our best player the other night. It was fun to see that done and be part of it." (NYR)

What Brendan Smith said about joining the Rangers

Mar 1, 2017 | 3:45PM

The Rangers acquired Brendan Smith to help an ailing defensive unit that has several players dealing with injuries.

Newly acquired Ranger Brendan Smith spoke with the media today after practice and said (NYR):

Were you surprised, "I was a little surprised. I'm excited to be on a good team in the playoff hunt. That is really exciting and I love playoff hockey. It's an exciting time to come to a team like this."

On being back with Stepan and McDonagh, "it's awesome. You don't get to see them enough on the road or in different cities. It's cool to rekindle that friendship we have and build it off there. They are great guys and they help with the familiarity. It's helped me a lot."

Were you paired with McDonagh at Wisconsin, "I played with Mac a little bit there in college. We switched partners in three years but we have played with each other quite a bit."

How does it work being both lefties, "I played the right side a lot, on many different teams. I enjoy the right side and I know that he likes his dominant left side. Not sure if that is the pairing, don't hold me to that. We were trying different things today so we will see what coach says. I think that their is a good D corp here and we can work on it."